Transport for the North Podcast

Want to find out more about how TfN is planning for more accessible rail stations across the North? Join James Barber (Public Affairs and Engagement Assistant) as he sits down with David Worsley (Head of Rail Specification & Delivery) and Emanuela Orsolic (Principal Economics Officer). They tell us more about how the stories shared by people across our region will help inform the Transport for the North Stations Strategy. This work is looking as the rail accessibility features at our stations, and how the experience for those with mobility issues or hidden disabilities can be improved through upgrades. Our survey has now closed; thank you to everyone who had their say!

The lunchtime podcast session at our Annual Conference explored how the North can lead the way in improving diversity in the transport sector and what needs to be done to welcome a broader range of people into our vibrant industry, to help transform the region. Our guest panel included Mayor Tracy Brabin, Emma Antrobus, Sonya Byers, Mark Cutter and Viren Lad. They discussed how to grow a more representative workforce that reflects the variety of needs across the transport system. A more collaborative effort can lead to greater innovation and change to ensure users and workers can input into future development. Through increased diversity of voices and opinions, we can design the infrastructure and services for the people who use our transport networks the most. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North (TfN) podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

Our vision is to help build a more integrated transport system and develop a consensual position for connected travel across the North. In this latest episode of our Transport for the North Podcast, we look at our Connected Mobility Strategy and how it is focused on delivering better journeys for passengers across all modes. There is an expectation across authorities and passengers for their transport networks to be better integrated – connecting the systems they use to plan and pay for journeys to the places that matter to them. At Transport for the North, our role is to highlight a lot of the successes and best practises emerging from transport authorities that have done work in this space. Through collaborative working and knowledge sharing we can understand different needs and bridge the gaps to connect places. We want a system that works for every area of the North, from rural to urban. Key to our strategy are three themes. Firstly, the future of ticketing, including pay-as-you-go options across the North and fares reform. Secondly is data and infrastructure – what’s the best approach to getting the required technical integration across modes of transport and infrastructure. And thirdly we look at future mobility, which considers novel transport systems and how they integrate with the existing route networks. There remain gaps in governance around multi-modal ticketing and fares modelling tools, but through collaboration we want to facilitate discussions on shared packages that support outcomes and avoid funding competition. Overall, this work will enable change through building an evidence base that allows partners to really get to grips with this important issue. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by finding and following us on social media.

Rural mobility can often be left behind and forgotten about in the transport industry. In this podcast episode, we discuss our work alongside partners to develop a place-based focus on rural areas. We look at the diverse nature of those places both across the North and the UK, characterised by countryside and sparse areas, more remote areas, but also some more fringe areas on the cusp of settlements and towns. There are huge opportunities to progress schemes and initiatives in these areas through collaboration with government, stakeholders and partners to ensure actions are delivered on the priorities of rural communities. One key focus is on integrating various transport modes to better connect services and give people viable alternatives to car use. Facilitating that modal shift is an important factor in transitioning to a greener transport network and bringing communities closer together. This episode also covers how evidence-based interventions can build a more comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure, further develop bus improvement plans, and help with wider health and wellbeing, including through combating transport-related social exclusion. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North!

In this latest episode of our Transport for the North Podcast, we discuss our research into transport-related social exclusion (TRSE) and the latest report to come on the back of our Connecting Communities Strategy. We’re joined by Tom Jarvis and Tom Mace, from our Strategy and Evidence team, who outline the findings from our TRSE research and what it means for the North of England. We look ahead to the future and our priorities around the issue, which include a focus on embedding TRSE decision-making into our own, and partners’, transport plans. Our latest report looks at how the cost-of-living is impacting travel choices and the links between the groups most affected. The research shows people at high risk of both cost-of-living pressures and TRSE are travelling less. The reasons why they travel is also changing. These shifts in travel patterns are in turn impacting the mental health and wellbeing of those at risk groups. Join us for this chat through the findings of our latest compelling research. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North!

Our latest podcast episode explores the ambitions in our revised Strategic Transport Plan (STP), which is out to public consultation until August 17, 2023. We discuss the key aspects of the consultation, which include a series of events, virtual engagements and forums. Our guests on the show talk through how their areas of work around Decarbonisation, Social Inclusion and Economic Growth feed into the STP, and the important relationship each sector has with another. The revised STP sets out the unique opportunities and challenges facing the North’s economy, people and communities, and how strategic transport investment can enable regional economic growth, support decarbonisation and reduce social exclusion. The vision of the Plan is broader than just transport and there is more emphasis on how we can support partners with local connectivity. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North!

In this episode, we follow up with Lucy Jacques, Acting Head of Policy & Strategy, about the development of our second Strategic Transport Plan, and the policy positions that feed into the revised document. We talk through our ambitions and actions in relation to spatial planning, and outline our role in this area – working with partners to develop the business case. It’s important we understand the need for transport alongside infrastructure and population growth, as well as the interventions that are needed to deliver for residents and businesses. We also look at the challenges the North faces in this policy landscape and the opportunities and the role of Transport for the North. Further to that, we look at the rural mobility policy position, which is a key area of our work moving forward. It’s important we recognise the diverse landscapes of the North and how the demand for transport access varies between communities. Whilst big rail schemes can help large areas, it’s as important to identify the transport options that will deliver better connectivity for more isolated groups. And finally, we look at the timeline for our new Strategic Transport Plan, and several of the current workstreams that will feed into this crucial document for the North. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.

In our latest One Voice podcast, we speak to Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, about business investment, transport and wider connectivity with the North. He highlights the importance of Liverpool as a port city and trade opportunities post-Brexit, as well as the benefits from the visitor economy and the region’s growth as an innovation hub. Digital connectivity is crucial for the city, he says, and will play a key role in helping people and businesses achieve their ambitions across all sectors of the economy. Mayor Rotheram says transport is hugely important for the Liverpool region and improving connectivity across the North is one of the main reasons why he believes Northern Powerhouse Rail should be seen as a genuine opportunity to look towards levelling-up the country. He also reflects on the challenges caused by the recent rail service disruption in the North, and how it is impacting people travelling for work and leisure. Other topics covered include his vision for a franchise model for the buses, a London style integrated transport system for Liverpool and the introduction of hydrogen buses to meet green-travel aims. You can share your thoughts on our podcasts by Tweeting and tagging us with @Transport4North! The Transport for the North podcast is a forum to allow guests to express their personal opinions about the North, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TfN.